Picchvai of Srinathji Pigments on cloth India, Nathdwara

The painting depicts Damodarji II, also known as Dauji, who was the principal priest at Nathdwara from 1797-1826, worshipping Shrinathji during an annakuta (lit. mountain of food) ceremony, as evidenced by the multiple food offerings placed before the altar. The ceremony also commemorates the Sapta Swarupotsava or incorporation of all the seven major idols of Shrinathji within the main shrine at Nathadwara, which are shown around the principal deity in the painting.



Compare with another picchavai depicting the same subject illustrated in Amit Ambalal, Krishna as Shrinathji, New York and Ahmedabad, 1987, p. 66. Also see, P. Pal, S. Markel, J. Leoshko, Pleasure Gardens of the Mind: Indian Paintings from the Jane Greenough Green Collection, Los Angeles, 1993, no. 11, pp. 44-45, for a representation of the scene in miniature format.

Cloth wrinkled and creased and backed with modern silk and placed on modern stretcher. Losses and water staining to lower edge, especially in water of lily pond. Colors brighter than catalogue illustration.
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